Eagles vs. Jaguars Scouting Report

Recent history: Jacksonville defeated the Eagles, 13-6, on Oct. 29, 2006 at the Linc. The Jaguars lead the series, 3-0.

OFFENSE

Eagles

365 yards per game (8th)

Jaguars

324.5 yards per game (14th)

Quarterback

Eagles

With the offensive line dealing with major pass-protection issues, Andy Reid has decided that elusive Mike Vick gives his team a better chance to win than Kevin Kolb. Vick has regained his remarkable running skills, and is doing a better job of keeping his eyes downfield, even while dodging pass-rushers.

Jaguars

David Garrard has been wildly inconsistent in the first two games. He had a career-best 138.9 passer rating in Week 1, then threw a career-high four interceptions in Week 2. He doesn't have ideal size (6-1), but has enough athleticism to get outside the pocket and minimize that disadvantage.

Pick: Eagles

Running back

Eagles

LeSean McCoy rushed for a career-high 120 yards against the Lions last week, with all but 7 of those yards coming out of spread formations that took advantage of the upfield rush of Detroit's ends. Eagles brought in between-the-tackles runner Mike Bell to complement McCoy, but he's been a non-factor.

Jaguars

Maurice Jones-Drew is only 5-7, but has thick, powerful legs that allow him to play much bigger than his size. He seldom is brought down by the first hit and has great instincts and vision. Has excellent cutback skills once he gets through the first level. Rashad Jennings (6-1, 228) is a good change of pace.

Pick: Jaguars

Receiver

Eagles

With protection breakdowns likely, the receivers need to be on the alert for Mike Vick's scrambling and be ready to ad-lib. TE Brent Celek, who led the team in receptions last season, only has 5 for 59 yards, though a big reason has been that he's had to stay in and help with protection more than he did last year.

Jaguars

Mike Sims-Walker still is learning the nuances of playing wideout. He's not yet a finished product as a route runner, but has good speed and size. After being targeted just two times in Week 1, he caught 10 passes for 105 yards in last week's loss to the Chargers. At 6-6, 275 pounds, TE Mercedes Lewis is a handful.

Pick: Eagles

Offensive line

Eagles

This unit already has given up 11 sacks and is last in the league in sacks allowed per pass play. The loss of C Jamaal Jackson has been a big blow. His replacement, Mike McGlynn, is a hard-nosed player, but is new to the position. RG Nick Cole and RT Winston Justice have struggled with twists and stunts.

Jaguars

Jags have two good, young second-year tackles in Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton. Both got valuable starting experience as rookies. Both are primarily finesse blockers with good feet, who can ride edge-rushers away from the QB. Eleven-year veteran C Brad Meester anchors an experienced interior group.

Pick: Jaguars

DEFENSE

Eagles

371.5 yards per game (25th)

Jaguars

420.0 yards per game (29th)

Defensive line

Eagles

Improving their front-four pass rush was an offseason point of emphasis and so far, it's been much improved. RE Trent Cole has a sack and eight hurries. Juqua Parker and rookie Brandon Graham, who have taken most of the snaps at LE, have combined for four sacks (three by Parker) and eight hurries.

Jaguars

After recording just 14 sacks last year, they grabbed DT Tyson Alualu, who was regarded as the draft's second best interior pass-rusher, in the first round. He's a strong, high-energy player. LE Derrick Harvey has been a first-round disappointment. He's got excellent edge-rushing speed, but just 51/2 sacks in 34 games.

Pick: Eagles

Linebacker

Eagles

MLB Stewart Bradley sat out last week's game after his Week 1 concussion and his absence was felt. Without his physical presence in the middle, Eagles gave up 109 rushing yards to the Lions in the first half. His replacement, Omar Gaither, also had problems staying with Lions TE Brandon Pettitgrew

Jaguars

The Jags added MLB Kirk Morrison in the offseason. He should improve a defense that finished 19th against the run last year, but the Jags gave up 151 rushing yards to the Chargers last week. Morrison's arrival has allowed Daryl Smith to slide outside to WILL, a position he is better suited for.

Pick: Eagles

Secondary

Eagles

Rookie FS Nate Allen has brought stability to a position that badly needed it. He already has two interceptions and has been used frequently as a blitzer. Eagles did not defend the Lions' screens very well and can expect teams to continue to attack them that way until they prove they can stop it.

Jaguars

This unit is hurting. CB Derek Cox already has been benched for poor play and SS Anthony Smith was inactive last week with a foot injury. Cox has been replaced by David Jones, who was acquired in a trade with Cincinnati last month. Opposing quarterbacks have a 103.5 passer rating and a .695 completion percentage.

Pick: Eagles

Special teams

Eagles

P Sav Rocca is off to an impressive start. He's fourth in the league with a 49.2-yard average and second in net average (43.8). The kickoff coverage was much better in Week 2, but ace returners DeSean Jackson and Ellis Hobbs have been quiet. David Akers continues to be one of the league's most dependable kickers.

Jaguars

PK Josh Scobee is coming off a poor season in which he converted just seven of 16 field goal attempts from 40-plus yards. But he's 3-for-3 from 40-plus this year. KR Tiquan Underwood is averaging 25.2 yards per return. PR Mike Thomas is averaging 8.7. Coverage units both are ranked in the top 12.

Pick: Eagles

Domowitch's prediction: Eagles 30, Jags 20

KEY MATCHUPS

1. Eagles LT Jason Peters vs. Jaguars RDE Aaron Kampman: Kampman is coming off ACL surgery. Peters left the game twice last week after getting his leg rolled up on. Advantage: Jaguars

2. Eagles MLB Stewart Bradley and WLB Ernie Sims vs. Jaguars TE Mercedes Lewis: Bradley's return should help the Eagles' ability to defend the Jags' big, fast tight end. Advantage: Even

3. Eagles WR DeSean Jackson vs. Jaguars CB Rashean Mathis: Mathis is the Jags' best cover corner, but with Mike Vick extending plays with his feet, he'll have a tough time holding coverage on Jackson. Advantage: Eagles

HOT AND NOT

Hot

Eagles: QB Mike Vick. Fourth in the league in passing with a 105.5 rating. Hasn't thrown an interception.

Jaguars: WR Mike Sims-Walker. Had 10 catches for 105 yards and a touchdown last week vs. Chargers.

Not

Eagles: TE Brent Celek. Has just five catches for 59 yards.

Jaguars: QB David Garrard. Threw a career-high four interceptions last week in loss to Chargers.

WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

Daily News football writer Paul Domowitch tells you what he will be keeping his eyes on during the Eagles-Jaguars game Sunday:

1. The pass protection: The Eagles have given up 11 sacks in the first two games. Mike Vick's elusiveness may be able to negate some of the protection issues, but they've got to do a better job up front, particularly against the blitz, if they expect to win.

2. Putting Mercedes in park: The Eagles struggled against Lions tight end Brandon Pettitgrew last week. He torched them for seven catches and 108 yards. Now, they take on yet another very good TE in Mercedes Lewis, a big (6-6, 275), fast and athletic pass-catcher who was targeted nine times in last week's loss to the Chargers, catching five passes for 70 yards.

3. The run defense: Everything the Jaguars do offensively starts with running back Maurice Jones-Drew. If you want to beat them, you've got to neutralize Jones-Drew, as the Chargers did last week, holding him to 31 yards on 12 carries. Last week, with middle linebacker Stewart Bradley on the shelf with a concussion, the Eagles gave up 109 rushing yards to the Lions in the first half. Bradley will be back this week, which should help immensely. But they've got to do a better job of swarming to the ball.

4. Third down and red zone: For various reasons, the Eagles' offense wasn't very good in either of these departments last year, but have been much improved in the first two games. They've converted five of six red-zone opportunities into touchdowns, including three rushing TDs by LeSean McCoy. They've converted a respectable 40.7 percent of their third-down chances, including four of five from 3 yards or less. In their last nine regular-season games last year, the Eagles converted just 17 of 32 third downs of 3 yards or less.

5. Vick's turnovers: Mike Vick often was a turnover waiting to happen in Atlanta. During his final 3 years with the Falcons, he averaged an interception every 28.8 attempts and had 36 fumbles (15 lost) in 46 games. He hasn't thrown a pick in 58 attempts this season, but had a couple last week that almost were intercepted. He's also fumbled twice, but the Eagles recovered both of them.